Day, Lewis F.

Nature and Ornament

First editions, first printings of this uncommon two-volume set on designing from nature by Lewis F. Day (1845-1910).

"Day took from his early training a special interest in stained glass design, gradually acquiring a wider reputation as a designer for textiles, pottery, carpets, wallpapers, silver, and many other branches of manufacture. His designs were always carefully adapted to the material in which they were to be carried out, and to the processes of manufacture which had to be employed. He belonged to the same school of artist–craftsmen as William Morris and Walter Crane, and his influence on contemporary ornament, if not so fully recognized as that of those two artists, was considerable. An important educator in design, many of the best-known designers of his day were taught by him and benefited from his belief in natural forms of ornament and high standards of craftsmanship" (ODNB).

Nature the Raw Material of Design [with] Ornament The Finished Product of Design. London: B. T. Batsford, 1908 & 1909. 2 volumes, octavo. Original green cloth, titles to spines and upper boards in white, patterned endpapers. Illustrations throughout. Contemporary ownership inscription to each half title. Volume I with minor bumping of the corners, partial fading of the spine and upper board, and a couple of small spots; spines rolled, spotting to edges of text block and particularly to the preliminaries. A very good set.